Cotton-treating machine.



I. L. CASSEL.

COTTON TREATING MACHTNE. APPLICATION FILED MAY l6. ma.

Patented Jan. 21,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEETI INVENTOB WITNESSES ATTORNEY w! E SES H9 I I W Z WW6 BY J. L. CASSEL.

COTTON TREATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 16. ms.

Patented 'Jan. 21, 1919.

2 SHEETSSHEEI' 2.

Ill I 5/ 7 5% ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN L. CASSEL, OF COLORADO, TEXAS.

COTTON-TREATING MACHINE.

To all whom it may concern: I I

Be it known that I, JOHN L. (been, a

citizen of the United States, residing at- Colorado, in 'the county of Mitchell and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cotton-Treating Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to cotton treatlng machines, and more particularly to a machine for separating the fibers from the seeds and bolls.

One of the main objects is to provide a machine of simple construction and operation, by means of which the cotton together with the seeds and bolls are threshed or ground in such manner as to eifectually separate the fibers from the seed and the bolls, the product of the machlne being later treated by a separator for removing the fibers and separating foreign materials therefrom.

A further object is to provide a machine in which the fibers will be elfectually removed from the seed, and the long fibers or staples will-not be beaten up into small locks and thus lost during the separatingoperation, such as often occurs 1n mach1nes of common construction.

Another object is to provide a machine which may be readily altered so as to be used in connection with either a belt or a pneumatic distributer for conveying the cotton which has been treated to the separators and gins for further treatment.

Further objects will appear from the detailed description.

In the drawings z-- Figure 1, is a longitudinal vertical sectional view through a machine constructed in accordance with my invention as used in connection with a belt distributer.

Fig. 2, is a central transverse section.

Fig. 3, is a view similar to F g. 1 of the machine as used in connection with a pneumatic distributer.

Fig. 4 is a detail fragmentary s de view, showing the mounting of the drum shaft.

The body portion of the machine, broadly stated, comprises a sheet metal cover 1 of arcuate configuration which is secured to the upper edges of end pieces 2, which are secured together and forced toward each other by a tie 3. A drive shaft 4 is rotatably supported in the end pieces 2 and projects beyond the outer faces thereof, a suitable Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Jan, 21, 1919, Application filed May is, 1918. Serial No. 234,930.

drive pulley 5 being secured on one end of the shaft, for operatively connecting the same to a belt driven by any suitable source of power. A drum 6 is secured on shaft 4 and is provided on its outer face with a plurality or radially disposed outwardly directed channel members 7 substantially U-shaped in cross section, these members serving to provide a plurality of blades or ribs 8 extending the full length of the drum in parallelism with shaft 4 and projecting outwardly from the outer face of the drum. These ribs cooperate with similar ribs" 9 projecting inwardly from the inner face of an arcuate member or concave 10 which is secured between the end pieces 2, these ribs being formed integral with two supporting members 11 secured to the member 10. This concave is disposed substantially concentric with the drum for the greater portion of its length, but has its forward portion 10 straightened slightly so as to be disposed substantially tangential to the body portion of the concave. Concave 10 is further provided, at its forward end, with a member 11 similar to the members 11, the outer flange of which is straightened and cooperates with the edge portion of concave 10 to secure the inner edge portion of the screen 12, the outer edge portion of which is secured by a U-strip 13 which is fastened to the upper edges of the end pieces 2. This screen cooperates with an upwardly and inwardly inclined sheet metal shield 14 which is mounted between the end pieces 2, to provide an inlet air passage 15 leading to the drum chamber 16. Shield 14 is provided with securing straps 17 through which are inserted certain of the tie rods 3, one of the tie rods being also inserted at the vertex of the angle formed between the upper end of the shield 14 and the upper end of the arcuate member 18 which is formed integral with the shield and extends downwardly and rearwardly substantially concentric with the drum 6 and beneath the same. The cover 1 is provided at its forward or inlet end, with an integral upwardly directed bead 19, shield 14 being provided at its lower end with an integral downwardly directed flange 20. By this means, communication may be readily established between the inlet passage 15, and the discharge of a machine for supplying the cotton to be treated to the drum chamber.

A sheet metal closure member 20 is secured between the end members 2 in sub-- stantially parallel relation with the rearward portion of the cover 1, the upper edge posed in substantial parallelism to the edge portion of the concave to form therewith a groove or channel for receiving the edge portion of the member 20. This member 20. is detachably secured between the end pieces by certain of the tie rods, which are inserted through securing straps 21 provided ,on the. inner face of this member. The

cover 1 is further provided, at its rearward edge, with a bead 19 similar to bead 19, the

closure member 20 being also provided with a downwardly directed flange 20 similar to the flange 20, this bead and flange providing means for readily connecting the outlet end of the main air passage 22 formed between the cover 1 and the screen 12, concave 10, and member 20, to a suction fan or other suitable means for inducing air through this passage. In this manner, the machine may be readily connected toa source of supply of cotton to be treated, this cotton being then drawn into the drum chamber 16, by air induced through the passage 22, the lighter and finer particles of dust and other foreign material being pneumatically separated from the cotton and drawn through the screen 12 into and through passage 22 to a suitable dust collecting means. I

An arcuate screen 23 has its upper edge secured to themember20 and its lower edge is secured to a cross piece 24 which fits snugly between the end pieces 2 of the main casing. This screen is disposed substantially concentric with the drum 6, and extends about the lower portion thereof oppositely to the concaved member 18'. The screenis releasably secured in the casing by certain of the tie rods 3 which are inserted through the straps 2 5 secured to the screen. An arcuate sheet metal shield 26 has its upper edge portion inserted between the upper portion of the screen and 11118 1111181 face of member 20 so as to form a tight closure therewith. The lower portion of this shield extends downwardly and forwardly in spaced relation to screen 23 and forms a downwardly diverging discharge passage 27 which is adapted to receive dust and particles of foreign material separated from the cotton being treated as this cotton is forced over the screen durin the rotation of the drum 16 in the direction indicated. The lower edge of shield 26 is positioned a short distance from the cross piece 24 so as to. provide a discharge slot or opening 28 for the dust and foreign materials forced over this machine.

The arcuate portion 18 of shield 14 'is provided at its inner end,-with an integral downwardly directed flange 29. A cross beam 30 is secured to this flange and projects upwardlyinto the drum chamber 16, this beam being provided at its upper edge portion with a flexible strip 31 secured thereto and projecting into the path of the blades or ribs 8. A similar bead 32 projects inwardly from the upper end of the shield 14 and is provided with a flexible strip 33 projecting into the path of travel of the ribs.

These two strips act as wiping members to remove from the blades or-ribs an particles of cotton which may adhere t ereto, the cotton which has been thoroughly disintegrated being discharged through the discharge opening 31 between the cross piece 24 and beam 30 onto a platform or floor, or upon a suitable belt distributer to be conveyed to a battery of separators or gins for further treatment. The strips 31 and 33 also act to provide a substantially airtight closure thus preventing the cotton from being drawn into the space between the beams 30 and 32 and interfering with the proper operation of the drum. v

The form illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is adapted especially for use in connection with belt distributers conveying the cotton which has been hulled or treated to the separators or gins. When it is desired to use "the machine in connection with a pneumatic or air distributer, the shield 14, closure member 20, screen 23, shield 26, and associated parts are all removed from about the lower portion of the drumand are replaced by a sheet metal member indicated generally by 35 comprising the shield portion 14, out let ortion 20, and intermediate arcuate portion 36 substantiall semi-circular in cross section which fits a out the lower portion of the drum. By removing the closure member 20, an outlet opening 37 isprovided between the rearward edge of concave 10 and the upper edge of the outlet portion 20". In this form, the cotton to be treated is drawn into the drum chamber 16 so as to be thoroughly disintegrated and straightened by the action of'the ribs of the concave and drum, this cotton then being discharged through the opening 37 into the air passage 38 intermediate the member 23 and the rearward portion of the cover 1, the cotton being then caused to flow by induction to the distributer by means of which it may be conveyed to other suitable machines for further treatment. The member 35 is releasably secured between the and pieces 2 of the main casing by tie rods 3 which are inserted through properly positioned straps 39 secured on the under face of member 35, the end pieces being provided with suitable supplemental openings 40 for thereception of certain of these rods so as to maintain the member 35 in proper operative position.

In using this machine, cotton to be treated is drawn into the drum chamber, the drum being rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow. This cotton is thoroughly rubbed between the ribs of the drum and the ribs of the concave so as to insure thorough disintegration of the bolls and other foreign material which may be contained in the cotton, this working serving to also rub the fibers from the seed so as to insure thorough cleaning thereof, thus effectually preventing waste of these fibers. Also, in the form illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, after the cotton has been thus thoroughly loosened and flufi'ed, it is then dragged downwardly and forwardly over the screen 23 so as to cause all fine particles of dirt, dust and other foreign material, to be discharged separately from the cotton through the waste discharge opening 28. As the ribs 8 of the drum and'the ribs 9 of the concave are both disposed in parallelism within the shaft 4, the cotton which is being treated is drawn across these ribs transversely thereof so as to obtain a combing effect which serves to straighten out the fibers of the cotton thus preventing the formation of small looks or knots such as frequently occur in machines of ordinary construction in which the teeth of the roller or drum and the concave are not related in this manner.

To permit easy removal of the drum 6 for cleaning, repairs, and similar purposes, I provide a special mounting for the drum. As will be noted from Fig. 4 of the drawings, a supporting beam 41 is detachably secured to the outer face of each end piece 2 by means of screws 43. The beam is provided with a substantially rectangular recess in its upper face which receives abearing block cap 44 which is held in position by pins 45 inserted through the block and into openings in the beam. This block is provided in its under face, with a substantially semi-cylindrical recess which receives the upper portion of the shaft'4,'the beam being provided with a similar recess which receives the lower portion of theshaft. The endpiece 2 is provided with a vertical slot in alinement with shaft 4 in which is slidably mounted a shaft supporting member 46 which fits beneath the beam 41 and is provided, in its upper end, with a semi-cylindrical recess which receives the lower portion of the shaft 4, so as to support the shaft.

The supporting member is provided, on its outer face, with transverse strips 47 secured thereto, and on its inner face with a similar strip 48. The strips 47 and 48 project beyond the edges of supporting'member 46,.

sired to remove the shaft, the screws 43 are I removed so as to detach beam 41 from endiece 2, after. which the supporting member 46, together with the beam 41 and the shaft may be readily removed from the suite pieces 2, the shield 14, beam 23 and shleld 26, and associated parts being first removed. This permits the shaft and the drum carried thereby to be quickly removed from the casing for repairs and other purposes and." as quickly and easily replaced.

It w1l1 be understood that my machine is particularly adapted for operating on the cotton prelimlnary to its entry into the ginnlng machine. It is for treating the cotton and crushing the bolls and will fiufi' up the immature looks so they can be ginned.

terials, dimensions, etc., as may prove'expended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a cotton treating machine, axinain casing, a cover secured on said casing, an inz let to the casing, an outlet, a drum rotatably mounted in the casing and having outwardly directed ribs, a concave mounted above the upper portion of the drum and in spaced relation to the cover, inwardly directed ribs formed on the concave to cooperate with the ribs on the drum, a screen connected to one end of the concave and to the inlet forming, with the concave, an air passage above the inlet and 'over the drum, and an outlet connected to the air passage.

2. In cotton treating machines, a main casing provided with a main air passage, said casing being further provided with an inlet passage communicating with the air passage at the forward end thereof, the casmg being further provided with a drum 'pedient and fall within the scope of the ap;

, sage and with a dischar e o ening posimounted above said drum substantially centric therewith and in spaced relation to tioned beneath the drum c am er and communicating therewith, a drum rotatably mounted in the drum chamber, coiiperatmg elements carried by the casing and the drum for disintegrating cotton fed into the drum chamber and straightening out the fibers of the cotton when the drum is rotated, and a screen secured between the forward end of the air passageand forming the top wall of the inlet passage, said screen serving to permit an air current to be induced through the inlet passage so as to draw cotton to be treated into the drum chamber and also to permit dust and other foreign material to be removed from the cotton as it is drawn throu h the inlet passage.

3. l ii a cotton treating machine, a mam casing provided with a central drum chamber, a drum rotatably mounted in-sald chamber, and having outwardly directed ribs, a concave mounted about the upper portion of said drum substantially concentric therewith and rovided on its inner face with inwardly directed ribs cooperating with the ribs of the drum to disintegrate cotton fed into the drum chamber and to straighten the fibers of the cotton when the drum is rotated, said casing being further provided with a main air passage extending above and about the drum chamber, an inlet passage and a discharge opening remote therefrom, both communicating with the drum chamber, the main air passage communicating at its forward end with the inlet passage, a screen n terposed between the main air passage and the inlet passage for permitting cotton to be treated to be induced into the inlet passage so as to flow into the drum chamber and for separating light particles of forelgn material from the cotton during its passage through the inlet passage, a concave mounted about the upper portion of the drum substantially concentric therewith, coiiperating elements carried by the drum and concave for disintegrating cotton and straightening the fibers thereof as it is passed throughthe drum chamber when the drum is rotated, a screen mounted about the lower portion of the drum in advance of the outlet opening and adapted to have the cotton being treated move thereover so as to force particles of foreign material through said screen.

4. In cotton treating machines, a main casing, a cover secured thereon, a drum rotatably mounted in said casing, a concave conthe cover, a closure vmember forming a continuation of the concave and disposed substantially parallel with the rearward'portion of said cover, said concave and closure members cooperating with the cover to provide a main air passage, a screen secured to emmas wardly and rearwardly directed arcuate portion extending substantially concentric with the drum, said shield member and screen cooperating to provide an inlet passage leading to the drum chamber, an arouate screen extending about the rearward lower portion of the drum substantially concentric therewith and adapted to have cotton which is drawn into. the drum casing dragged thereover so as toseparate particles of foreign material from said cotton, the lower ends of the arcuate portion of the shield member and of the screen being spaced apart so as to provide a discharge opening beneath the drum, and coiiperating members carried by said concave and the drum for agitating and disintegrating cotton drawn into the drum chamber so as to separate foreign material therefrom and straighten the fibers of the cotton when the drum is rotated.

5. In a cotton treating machine, a main casing, a cover secured on said casing, a concave secured in the casing in substantially parallel spaced relation with said cover, a drum rotatably mounted in the easing substantially concentric with the concave, said drum being provided with outwardly projectin members and the concave being provided with inwardly projecting members cooperating therewith for disintegrating cotton and straightening the fiber thereof as it is passed between the concave and drum, when the drum is rotated, members extending about the lower portion of the drum in substantially.- concentric spaced relation thereto, and cooperating with the concave to provide a drum casing, the lower ends of said members being spaced apart to provide a discharge opening beneath'the drum and a flexible member carried by the forward one of said drum inclosing members and adapted to engage the outwardly projecting elements carried by the drum so as to remove cotton fibers therefrom and direct the same through the discharge opening.

6. In a cotton treating machine, a casing provided with a cover, a concave secured in said casing in spaced substantially parallel relation therewith, a drum rotatably mounted in the casing concentric with said concave, said concave and drum being provided with cooperating elements for engaging cotton passed between the same so as to disintegrate the same and straighten the fibers of the cotton when the drum is rotated, a screen secured to the forward edge of the concave and to the forward edge of the cashbb ing, a closure member mounted in substantially parallel spaced relation with the rearward portion of said cover and having its forward .edge detachably connected to the rearward edge of the concave so as to form a substantially air tight closure therewith, said closure member and concave cooperating with the cover to provide a mam air passage extending over and about the concave and the upper portion of said main frame, an arcuate screen extendin about the lower rearward portion of the rum, a shield positioned beneath said screen and diverging downwardly therefrom, a shield positioned at the front of the casing, and in substantial parallelism with the screen secured to thefront of the concave and provided with a downwardl arching rearwardly directed portion tting about the lower forward portion of the drum in spaced relation thereto, said arcuate portion of the lower portion of the drum and forma discharge opening communicating with the drum chamber adjacent the up er portion thereof, this discharge opening sing in direct communication with the main air passa e between the concave and cover.

testimon whereof I aflix my signature in presence o two witnesses.

JOHN L. CASSEL.

Witnesses: S. M. Tnoms,

E. E. JACKSON.

dls- 

